Deputy Director: Institutional Student Governance Office (ISGO) needed at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Planning:

• Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the Institutional Student Governance Office’s (ISGO)  goals in line with the vision, mission and values of the Division Student Affairs (DSA) and the UFS.
• Support the integrated reporting of ISGO on all three campuses.
• Engage with the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) and the entire student body on all three campuses.
• Ensure participation of the Student Representative Council (SRC) in all relevant UFS forums.
• Assist in the management and mitigation of risks within Student Governance.
• Support the programmes and activities of the ISRC.
• Address the underlying issues that may be driving student protests, in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Contribute to the development of DSA strategy as directed by the Executive Director.
• Collaborate with Student Life to support Leadership training and capacity-building programmes.  

Financial Management:

• Support the management of the ISGO’s budget and financial planning. Assist with allocation of budgets for sub-units of the ISGO.
• Ensure the responsible allocation and spending of funds to meet  UFS and DSA objectives.

Project Management:

• Identify new opportunities in respect of student needs, conceptualize relevant programmes and direct the implementation in line with divisional goals.
• Support the execution of strategic projects within IGSO.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of strategic projects.
• Assist in reinforcing systems that promote a culture of accountability and integrity at the UFS, with a special focus on Student Leaders.
• Help plan and ensure, in consultation with the Executive Director, the planning and smooth running of SRC elections.

Policy Development:

• Identify policy gaps for development within Student Governance and review existing policies for alignment.
• Lead and review the development and ensure compliance with consultative processes and the submission to relevant approval structures.
• Ensure implementation of policies within the ISGO environment.
• Guide and provide leadership within ISGO as a core part of the Student Affairs Senior Leadership Group.
• Represent ISGO in relevant Institutional committees.
• Represent the Executive Director in various institutional committees when delegated.
• Ensure ISRC constitution and related ISGO policies are reviewed when the policy term ends.

Personnel Management:

• Lead human resources processes, in collaboration with Human Resources, concerning personnel in ISGO.
• Contribute to attract and retain sufficiently qualified and competent staff.
• Encourage teamwork and departmental coherence.
• Support the implementation of the staff Performance Management Programme.
• Ensure efficient management of leave processes.
• Ensure efficient and effective administration of Student Affairs financial resources.
• Ensure the adherence to university procurement procedures within ISGO.
• Support the implementation of processes aligned to achieve employment equity targets in Student Affairs.
• Assist with the continuous development of ISGO staff.

Protest Management and Resolution:

• Act as a liaison between the administration and student groups to reach a consensus and peaceful resolution.
• Collaborate with campus security to maintain order and manage potential risks during the protests.
• Monitor social media and other communication channels to stay updated on the progress of protests, to respond to student concerns and advise the Executive Director: Student Affairs.
• Develop communication plans to inform students, faculty members, and the public about the protests and any related activities or news.
• Facilitate discussions and other forms of debate to promote conversation and dialogue rather than violence.
• Work with university leaders and faculty members to identify potential solutions to the challenges that students are protesting about.
• Advise, through the Executive Director, university executive management on potential protests and solutions thereof.

Inherent requirements

• Honours degree/postgraduate diploma/professional bachelor’s degree on NQF Level 8.
• A minimum of five (5) years relevant working experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.
• Relevant experience within the higher-education environment.

Recommendations

• Experience in and sound knowledge of Student Governance.
• Ability to think strategically and engage strategic frameworks.
• Demonstrated administrative experience.
• A firm understanding of the challenges in the higher education sector in South Africa.
• Background in higher education and student Governance structures.